The Washington Commanders didn’t need this.
With the 2026 NFL season getting closer, Washington has lost one of the most important pieces of its offensive line. Left tackle Laremy Tunsil is undergoing surgery after suffering a torn triceps during training camp.
And now the big question isn’t whether he’ll miss time.
It’s how much of the season Washington will have to play without him.
Tunsil suffered the injury during a one-on-one drill in practice. Head coach Dan Quinn confirmed Monday that surgery is required, with the team expected to have a much better idea of his recovery timeline once the procedure is completed.
This Is a Huge Loss for Washington
Tunsil isn’t just another offensive lineman.
He’s a five-time Pro Bowler and one of the league’s top left tackles. Washington also made a massive commitment to him earlier this year, giving him a two-year extension with $61.5 million guaranteed.
So losing him this close to the season is a pretty brutal blow.
The left tackle position is especially important because of what it means for the quarterback. Tunsil’s job is to help keep Jayden Daniels upright, giving Washington’s young quarterback the time he needs to make plays.
Take away one of the best pass protectors on the roster and suddenly everything around Daniels becomes a little more difficult.
Brandon Coleman Gets His Chance
Washington isn’t immediately running out to find a replacement.
The team plans to move Brandon Coleman into the starting left tackle role. Coleman already has 17 NFL starts since being drafted in 2024, so Washington isn’t throwing someone completely inexperienced into the fire.
Still, replacing Tunsil is easier said than done.
Coleman doesn’t have the same résumé, and he’ll now be asked to handle one of the toughest jobs on the offensive line.
That’s a lot of pressure.
What Does This Mean for Jayden Daniels?
This might be the biggest part of the story.
Washington is building around Daniels, and keeping him healthy has to be one of the team’s biggest priorities.
The Commanders don’t need their quarterback spending the season constantly under pressure because the offensive line can’t hold up.
One injury doesn’t automatically ruin a season. Washington still has plenty of talent, and Quinn has made it clear that he believes Coleman can handle the opportunity.
But there’s no pretending this isn’t a major setback.
Could Tunsil Still Return This Season?
That’s the part nobody knows for sure yet.
Recovery from a torn triceps can take several months, and reports have suggested Tunsil could miss a significant portion of the 2026 season. But Washington wants to wait until after surgery before putting a firm timetable on his return.
That means fans are going to have to wait.
If Tunsil can make it back late in the season, that could be a massive boost for Washington, particularly if the Commanders are in the playoff hunt.
If he’s forced to miss the entire campaign, however, Washington will have to find a way to survive without one of its biggest offseason investments.
The Timing Couldn’t Be Worse
Training camp is supposed to be about getting ready for the season.
Instead, Washington now has a major hole to fill.
The good news is that the injury happened early enough for the Commanders to adjust. Coleman gets time to settle into the position, the coaching staff can make changes, and the rest of the offensive line can figure out how it wants to operate without Tunsil.
But there is still one thing Washington can’t replace.
Experience.
Tunsil has been through the battles before. He’s protected quarterbacks at the highest level and knows what it takes to deal with elite pass rushers.
Now Coleman gets his opportunity.
And if Washington’s season goes the way the team hopes, his performance at left tackle could end up being one of the biggest stories of the year.
For now, though, the Commanders have to hope their star tackle’s recovery goes as well as possible.
Because losing Laremy Tunsil was never part of the plan.
